In steep avalanche terrain at the mid and high elevations, backcountry riders and skiers could trigger slab avalanches to depths of four feet. Predicting unstable areas or slabs is very difficult at this time. Yesterday snowmobilers triggered such a slab in the Wolf Creek area of the Snake River Range on a Southeast aspect. At low elevations avalanches are unlikely except for isolated pockets of slabs to one foot depths in very steep terrain.
Persistent slabs rest on weak snow formed in January on a variety of aspects. These slabs may be soft or hard and could be triggered by backcountry travelers today in very steep avalanche starting zones or rocky areas with depths of two to four feet.
A well developed storm is tracking northeast from the Great Basin. This storm is to bring significant snowfall to the Salt and Wyoming ranges overnight through Saturday. Over a foot of snow is possible in these areas. The Teton and Togwotee Pass areas could see five to seven inches during this time. The avalanche hazard is expected to remain Moderate in the Teton and Togwotee Pass areas and will likely increase to Considerable in the Southwest Trails/Greys River area where significant loading and stronger winds are expected. Existing persistent slabs to four foot depths could be triggered in steep terrain. These slabs will become more sensitive as additional snowfall loads them during the day and the possibility to trigger new soft surface slabs will also develop in areas where significant snowfall and wind loading occur.
